[255-266] One can cite numerous passages from contemporary literature stating that there exists an absolute abyss between general knowledge of nature and metaphysical necessity—this means that the question: "whence to draw light?" is infinitely entangled. Truly, a classical example of this entanglement is represented by F. A. Lange's *History of Materialism*. If one sets aside the many brilliant and superb, though secondary aspects of this work, as well as the author's democratic affinity with the socialist party—which we note with great pleasure—still, Lange's philosophical standpoint is the most pitiful floundering in metaphysical snares that has ever taken place. Precisely this constant hesitation and uncertainty constitute what lends the work its significance, because although it does not resolve the task and nothing is decided in it, the problem is posed so clearly that its final resolution becomes inevitably imminent.

Then there appear opponents like Dr. Gideon Spicker (*On the Relation of Natural Science to Philosophy*) and, pointing to this floundering, abuse their just criticism in order, together with Lange, to discredit materialism as well...

Materialism, which successfully copes with the knowledge and explanation of the most diverse domains of science, has thus far not attempted to explain the domain of knowledge itself, and therefore its benevolent historian could not achieve complete victory over the ruins of idealism...

"There exist two questions before which the spirit must halt. We are unable to comprehend atoms and we cannot explain from atoms and their motion even the most insignificant phenomenon of consciousness...

However one twists the concept of matter and its forces, one always encounters something incomprehensible.

Not without reason, therefore, du Bois-Reymond goes so far as to assert that all our knowledge of nature is in reality not yet knowledge, that it furnishes only a surrogate of explanation...

This is the point past which the systematizers and apostles of mechanistic worldview pass with such disdain—the question of the limits of knowledge of nature" (F. Lange. *History of Materialism*, vol. II, pp. 148-150).

This precise citation would, in essence, be superfluous, since such utterances are widely known.

Thus declares not only Lange, but also Jürgen Bona Meyer and von Siebel, thus expressed themselves

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